“I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.” – Florence Nightingale
If you’re a nurse, then you are a hero. Too often an unsung hero, putting in long hours and pouring much of yourself into the care of your patients. Being a nurse is quite possibly one of the most difficult and one of the most rewarding jobs you can do. It’s a job not everyone is cut out for. But if you are in this profession, you have a great career ahead of you.
With job growth in the healthcare industry projected to continue at a faster rate than in most other industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be many opportunities available. In fact, the BLS projects job growth for nurses to be at 26% by 2020. If you’ve considered pursuing a master’s degree in nursing, it’s a good time to do it. The difference in pay can be significant, from $64,000 for an RN to $94,000 for an NP. However, increased pay and future earning potential aren’t the only reasons to earn an advanced degree. It will also open more doors for you. You could go on to earn a Ph.D. in nursing; you could become a nursing teacher; you could lead a department. And, of course, there’s always the best reason – do it for yourself!
A deciding factor might be the fact that you can obtain your master’s degree in nursing online from an accredited institution. With the flexibility to work around your busy schedule and with affordable tuition, an online nursing program could be for you.
According to Nurse Journal, there are four types of master’s degrees in nursing.
- RN-to-MSN Programs: “These programs appeal to nurses with work experience who hold a two-year nursing degree or diploma but not a bachelor’s degree in nursing.”
- BSN-to-MSN Programs: “These programs appeal to nurses with a BSN who want to advance their career or complete specialized training to take on a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or another advanced practice position.”
- ADN-to-MSN Programs: “Also known as bridge programs, ADN-to-MSN programs enable nurses without a bachelor’s degree to complete a graduate degree with relative ease.”
- ASN-to-MSN Programs: “Also known as a bridge program, ASN-to-MSN programs admit nurses with an associate degree and provide advanced nursing training, often within a specialization.”
If you already have your RN, then now is a great time to get a post-licensure degree. At University of Phoenix, you can earn your RN to BSN in about 14 months when you transfer in your ADN, or get your MSN in as little as 18 months. In addition, our nurse bridge program is designed to help RNs who have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field more quickly earn their MSN – saving both time and money. Your current RN license can earn you 40 credits toward your degree. You also have the opportunity to transfer up to a maximum of 87 credits into your CCNE-accredited nursing degree program.
Another great option at University of Phoenix is the Nursing Pathways Program. This program allows students who are interested in earning both their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and their Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) to enroll in courses that count toward both an RN to BSN and MSN.
Working nurses can take three upper-level courses (nurse bridge courses and introductory MSN course) and then choose the master’s path that best suits their needs. University of Phoenix offers a Master of Science in Nursing/Nurse Administration degree, a Master of Science in Nursing/Nurse Education degree, a Master of Science in Nursing/Informatics degree, and a Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner degree.
Which degree program is right for you?
- Master of Science in Nursing/Nurse Administration — Learn how to coach other nurses, lead during organizational change and step into the business side of nursing.
- Master of Science in Nursing/Nurse Education — Influence the future of nursing and healthcare by teaching in a variety of educational settings.
- Master of Science in Nursing/Informatics — Understand how to use data to inform decisions and improve patient outcomes.
- Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner — Offer high-quality primary and specialty medical care to patients.
We understand that you’re already stretched. That’s why you can take one five-week class at a time. It’s why you can transfer credits. It’s why we’ve lowered tuition. It’s why we have a tuition guarantee. University of Phoenix’s master’s in nursing program is designed for you and your busy lifestyle! You can take one course at a time. You can choose to earn your bachelor’s or master’s nursing degree online or on campus. You’ll be enrolled in programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). You’ll be learning in a curriculum designed to teach skills you can apply to your career now – and you’ll be learning it from faculty with the credentials to back it up. Even better, you won’t have to sacrifice personal commitments to family and friends or those to your job. Instead, you’ll have earned a degree that can help you rise to meet those commitments in the future.